Walton Jr sparks Kings to Adrian Hurley Cup victory

 The Sydney Kings’ title defence is off to a winning start after downing NSW rivals Illawarra 106-97, in game one of the NBL23 Adrian Hurley Cup, on Saturday night at the WIN Entertainment Centre. 

Match summary 

Despite Xavier Cooks being forced to sit for the majority of the first quarter with two fouls, the Kings raced out to a seven-point lead, behind an exceptional first quarter by Derrick Walton Jr (seven points and four assists) before some late triples by the hosts reduced the advantage to 24-21 after one. 

Illawarra fought back in the second, thanks largely to their work on the offensive glass, and opened the term on a 10-6, capped by a Tim Coenraad three-pointer, to close to within one. Adding to that were the visitors’ second-quarter fouls, which gifted the Hawks easy points at the line. But a tip-in buzzer-beater by Cooks ensured the Hoops Capital side led by one (44-43) at the main change. 

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The Hawks started the third on fire, with Justin Robinson and Tyler Harvey getting to the rack at will, putting the hosts up by as many as seven points. Timely steals and buckets by Justin Simon and three straight triples from Dejan Vasiljevic kept the Kings within striking distance before a Xavier Cooks’ and-one put Sydney up 75-72 at the final break. 

A Lachlan Dent explosion, where the guard hit a trio of triples and a jumper, gave the Hawks an 87-80 advantage midway through the fourth. But clutch baskets by Walton and Cooks, sparking a 26-10 run to end the game, secured Chase Buford’s side a 106-97 victory. 

Where the match was decided 

In a game of momentum swings, a crucial 26-10 run by the Kings, highlighted by numerous strong defensive plays and clutch shots by Walton, sealed Sydney’s nine-point win - to break their longest ever road winning streak (13) and equal the Canberra Cannons’ mark from the 1984-85 season. 

Key moment 

With the Kings trialling 70-63 with 1.52 on the clock in the third term, sharpshooter Vasiljevic rattled off three consecutive bombs from downtown – within the space of 53 seconds – to give Sydney the lead 72-70 and momentum heading into the last term. 

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Players of the game 

Walton announced himself to the NBL on Saturday, producing 32 points, eight dimes, four rebounds and one steal, while former Hawk Simon, in his first game back in Wollongong, added 19 points, nine boards, four swipes and two assists. 

Special note to Jordan Hunter, who took the court for the Kings in an NBL game for the first time in 483 days – to contribute four points, two rebounds, two blocks and one assist. 

What’s next 

Chase Buford’s team will now return to Qudos Bank Arena, for their first home game of the NBL23 season. The round two clash, on Friday, October 7, will pit the reigning champions against the Brisbane Bullets from 7.30pm AEDT – a night which will also include the presentation of both the NBL22 championship banner and player’s rings.